TOXIC WASTE DUMP

Objectives To provide an opportunity for planning and experiencing teamwork. To provide a live forum for analyzing planning prerequisites, processes, and consequences. To focus the teams attention on how members work together to accomplish objectives. Materials Required Instruction sheet for each participant 2 coffee cans - Two different sizes, large one for safe can and a smaller one for the toxic one. Popcorn kernels to fill one can about halfway 6 8 pieces of 7 foot rope A large sheet of plastic 50 foot long rope 1 bicycle tire tube

Procedure Establish an open space for the group, with an 8-foot diameter circle marked off with rope. Ask the team to identify the characteristics of highly effectively teams. Explain that effectives pay close attention to both task and the process (i.e. how they work together to accomplish their objective). Distribute the instruction sheet to each person, and start the clock running. Give them 10 min max or if multiple teams have them race to see who gets it done faster. Enforce the rule very strictly. Discussion Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. Was your team successful? By what measures? What did your team do that helped it succeed? What did your team members do that caused it problems? What did you learn from this exercise that you can apply on the job?

Note to Team Leaders: Most groups accomplish this (after due discussion and planning) by folding over the tire tube into a smaller circle, tying 3-5 short ropes to various sides of it, and stretching it to fit over (and grab) the toxic can. By coordinating their efforts, one member slides around the circle with his/her rope to become the controller of the dumping process while the others

hold the can suspended above the safe can. Through delicate maneuvers, they can accomplish the task. The plastic sheet underneath the circle and cans makes cleanup much easier when they spill.

TOXIC WASTE DUMP Instructions

Setting: A can of highly toxic popcorn has contaminated a circle approximately 8 feet in diameter. The toxic area extends to the ceiling. If the poisonous popcorn is not transferred to a safe container for decontamination, the toxic popcorn will contaminate and destroy the population of the entire city. The popcorn is estimated to have a safe life of exactly 20 minutes before it explodes. Obviously, there is insufficient time to contact authorities and evacuate the city. Therefore, the lives of thousands of people are in your hands. Inside the circle you will find two cans. One (unsafe) container that is half full of the toxic popcorn. The other (safe) container is available for decontamination.

Team Goal: You must find a way to safely transfer the toxic popcorn from the unsafe container to the safe container, using only the materials provided to you. For your group, this includes a piece of rope (each approximately 7 feet long) for each person, and a bicycle tire tube.

Rules: 1. NO member may cross the plane of the circle with any part of the body. If this occurs, they must be taken to the hospital immediately (removed from play) and they may not participate in any form from then on. The group is responsible for the safety of all its members. NO member may sacrifice himself or herself to aid in the transfer of the popcorn. NO spills are allowed, or the popcorn will explode. Members may only use the materials provided. However, they can be used in any way desired. The popcorn will not spread its toxicity to the safe can, the ropes, the tube, or the instruction giver. The members have no protection inside the imaginary cylinder created by the 8-foot diameter circle. The safe container may move anywhere in or outside of the circle. The unsafe container of popcorn must stay inside the circle, and not be moved more than one foot from its center. Remember, the popcorn must be transferred within 20 minutes, or there will be a tremendous disaster.

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